TARANAKI.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 192, 24 May 1860, Page 2

TARANAKI.

JOURNAL OF EVENTS

[From the Taranaki Thursday, May 3rd. —The Airedale, from Manakau and Whaingaroa, anchored at 3 p.m. 7’he arrival of this vessel was looked for with move than usual interest, in consequence of the rumours of a projected peace circulated by her on the;2lst ult, . The present intelligence contradicts", though not wholly, the information. The state of upper Waikato, however, is likely te defeat any such idea on the part of the Government. We are.indebted to private courtesy for the important news that, on the 2nd instant, an armed, party (number not stated) were on their way to unite with IV. Kingi, their, declared intention being to attack the town. How strange .it is that a race should thus anticipate decay (of which none are more conscious than the natives themselves), by rushing to destruction ! The Kawhia settlers were to be removed without delay by the Government. The wind sufficiently abated to-day to allow the Airedale to land her cargo for this place, and she proceeded at dusk for Nelson, when the .wind went, round to the west, and blew hard with heavy showers.

News arrived from Waitara this evening that 1000 Wa katos and 60 Ngatiruanui ami Taranaki natives, all armed, arrived at Mokau on Tuesday last. The chiefs are- Bewi Raureti and Waaro, the leaders of the King movement, who state it is the intention of their tribe to take possession of Te Teira’s piece of land at Waitara, and hoist. the King’s standard on it. Ngatawa saluted M.okau, and signified his intention to join the Waikatos; Takerei saluted Mokau, aud notified lii 3 intention to take part in the struggle. Te Kaharoa said, the Ngatimaniapotos would remain on their land until the reinforcement arrived, and then accompany the tribes to Waitara. Another Waikato chief stated his intention to see. Teira’s land and plant the King’s colours on it; first to confer with W. Kingi about attacking the white man, and if he objected to shed white blood, then the Waikatos . would have Maori, blood. Wi te Hao has written, that the JFaikatos intend attacking Auckland, but it is easy to penetrate this flimsy device to remove the troops from the real point of attack. W, Kingi’s numerous pas are held by a mere handful of men, and should be captured and razed to the groufid before his numerous allies arrive.

Since writing the above we have seen authentic information from Ota'whao, stating that the Taranaki mail had not reached that place on the 24th ult., that the Napier mail had been stopped and detained by a party of Taupo natives at Kihikihi. After the Kihikihi meeting at tfaureta, one of Ratal's party was sent to Wiremu Kingi, stating that the Waikatos would be with him about the 3rd quarter of the present moon (sth May). Z’he most reliable authority estimates the number of natives likely to join Kingi at from-100. to 300, and the Ngatiruanui .and Taranaki at 50. Te Waru and the Rangiawhia natives disapprove of the movement .from.Kihikihi. Sunday , May 6.—-No abatement in the weather the third day ofrits continuance. The detachment of the 40th at Bell Block marched td. JFaitara. There are now 300 men at Waitara. Another soldier’s funeral.!, John Trump, private 40th regt.,. having died from, severe cold after a short illness..

Monday, May 7.-r-Weather. again stormy, and> rain continuous ; thunder and lightning at intervals. Builocks and carts proceeded to Tataraimaka, to be in readiness to, bring in . the detachment stationed there. Some excitement has prevailed in town since the arrival of the intelligence that- the Waikatos are on their way to join Kingi- it being their avowed intention to. attack the town. Whether they will do so - or not remains to be proved. A niglit attack is certainly to be dreaded, for if they got into the town the confusion would be great, and there is no order issued regarding a place of safety for women and children. Strong pickets should be sent out, and not so far from the centre of the town, and double sentries stationed nearer together than they are now. When we are menaced in the north by a lawless band of Waikatos, threatened ip the south by a pack of murderers and assas- - sins, and our rear, forest and bush, we cannot use too great precaution ; arid, for the time being should think no duty too irksome to guard our town from pillage and murder. The great point to be achieved is to keep the natives out of town.

Friday —Tasmanian Maid returned to-day to Waitara, with 1 gun and artillerymen. Weather fine; a fresh breeze from south west. The Cordelia returned to her anchorage this afternoon. '